MPs seek aid for tea workers

Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista and Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha member
Shanta Chhetri placed demands for financial assistance to the tea
industry in north Bengal during a meeting of the Tea Board on Monday.

The two MPs are members of the Tea Board. They took part in the meet via video-conference.

Chhetri
has demanded not only assistance for the lockdown period but also
“subsidy towards refurbishing the 87 Darjeeling gardens on account of
104 days of disruption of work @ 2017 (sic) to be disbursed
immediately”.

Chhetri said Rs 1,000 should be given to each
labourer per week for the lockdown period since many planters were
financially incapable of making payments for non-work days. The tea
industry in north Bengal engages over 3 lakh workers.

Seeking a proactive initiative from the Tea Board during the
lockdown period, Bista said: “Although tea gardens in Assam have paid
half wages to even those who couldn’t join work, only a very few estates
in north Bengal have done the same. Most gardens are yet to pay their
workers for the lockdown period.”

“I have requested that
Darjeeling Tea Upgradation scheme funds should be released immediately,
under which the workers will also be equal beneficiaries,” said Bista, a
demand which is in tune with that of Chhetri.

The Darjeeling BJP
MP also demanded recognition of small tea growers, minimum floor prices
for green tea leaves, reform in auction process and collaboration “with
AYUSH Ministry to research into the medical and health benefits of” tea.

Chhetri,
on the other hand, said Nepal tea “must be subjected to analysis for 34
types of insecticides, iron filings and heavy metals as per FSSAI
Regulations” and stringent action should be taken against unscrupulous
traders selling Nepal tea as Darjeeling Tea.

GNLF leader Ajoy
Edwards said the party would file a Public Interest Litigation in
Calcutta High Court seeking wages for tea garden workers during the
lockdown.

https://www.telegraphindia.com

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Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista and Trinamul Congress Rajya Sabha member Shanta Chhetri placed demands for financial assistance to the tea industry in north Bengal during a meeting of the Tea Board